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2011 Doris Fisher KIPPster of the Year Winner

New York, NY

Samaiyah is a phenomenal scholar, with leadership skills, self-confidence, and independence far beyond her years. She not only excels in the classroom, but pushes her peers to dig deeper and be better as well. Outside of the classroom, her activities include playing guitar for the school’s band, tutoring kindergartners, and serving as a staff writer for the school newspaper – just to name a few. One of her teachers described her as “the quirkiest and brightest youngster on the planet.”

Even with stellar grades, this student is better defined by her contributions to the KIPP community. Less than a week before KIPP School Summit in Orlando in 2009, she was selected to co-host the gala. She learned her lines in a matter of days, and delivered them at the gala with poise and grace. When the music cut out during her school’s second dance number, she brought the house down with one ad-libbed line: “True KIPPsters do the right thing when no one is looking and when the music stops.” 

To see a list of all 2011 Doris Fisher KOTY Award winners, click here.